PERTH.

A thriving town, capital of Lanark County, situated on the River Tay
and on the main line, Ontario Division of the Canadian Pacific Railway, has
now a population of about 4,475. Its progress from its first settlement up
to the present has been steady and marked by solid growth. Surrounded
by a fertile agricultural country, possessed of mineral and other resources of great
value; with transportation facilities adequate in every point of view and offering to
the importer and exporter every advantage requisite in these days when quick
transit at reasonable cost is demanded; with a population composed of thrifty,
industrious and enterprising citizens, whose ancestry, by the way, is mainly
Scotch-Irish. Perth has acquired an amiable reputation as a place of residence
corresponding with its commercial importance. Its Educational institutions have
been based upon and are conducted in accordance with the high standards exacted
by the Canadian Educational administrative departments. Its Churches are substantial
edifices which will bear favorable comparison in point of architectural design
and pastoral service and administration with those of any town of the size of Perth
on the Continent. The County buildings and public offices meet every requirement.

Telephone, telegraph and express service, electric light systems, roads leading to
and from it, river, canal, post office and railway communication are up-to-date in
every respect. Waterworks are now laid and will serve to improve the
standing conditions and make Perth more than ever eligible and desirable as a
place of residence. Within a few miles from the town is a popular Summer Resort
at Oliver's Ferry, where handsome hotels and commodious summer cottages have
been built for the accommodation of visitors hailing from all parts of the Dominion
and the United States. Christie's Lake, also a short distance from Perth, is a
popular resort.

The Canadian Pacific Railway Company carry on large carshops here, from
which are turned out refrigerator, box and flat cars, etc.

Water communication, via the Tay Canal, is established between Perth and
Montreal; thus assisting in making the former a distributing point for a populous
surrounding district.

The manufacture of Cheese has become an important wealth producing factor,
in the section of which Perth, is the centre and correspondingly the immediate
beneficiary. Cheese branded "Perth" rates at a premium in all European markets.
The value of the dairying interest and all branches of trade and industry
immediately related to it is commensurately enhanced by the high standard maintained
by the cheese factors.

The great value and importance of the mines in the vicinity of Perth is as yet
but faintly understood. Iron, mica, mineral, phosphate and other rich
deposits await simply the development that goes hand in hand with enterprise and
capital. Enquiry is now active in the direction indicated and it is reasonable to
believe that investment will soon follow.

Perth can show more aged people to the square yard than any town of its size
on the Continent. The mortality statistics go to show that the climate and sanitary
conditions here are so extremely favorable that Insurance Companies are justified in
according to policy-holders very low rates -- which they do. This longevity, however,
is not to be attributed altogether to the purity of the water, salubrity of the
climate or the phenomenal freedom from epidemics, but is largely due to the habits
of the people which, might serve in point of morality, temperance and intelligent
self-government, as a model for any community. The truth of this statement will be
borne out by the records of the criminal courts as well as by the mortality statistics.

The future of Perth is bright with hope. Capital is becoming interested and
the manifest advantages presented here for the establishment of factories are so
great that it needs no prophet to foretell a great access of prosperity within the
coming decade.

The peace is preserved throughout the town by two Constables. The Chief of
Police is John Keays, and to this office is added that of Health Officer, Sanitary
Inspector, Truant Officer, Collector of Poll Tax and several other minor duties.

The Night Patrol, whose duty it is to patrol the streets of the town from 9
o'clock p.m., to 7 o'clock a.m., each night of the year. is Michael Lappin.

Besides these two regular Constables there are Ward Constables, who may be
called out at any time by order of the Chief.